The only benefit in being on pace to lose 106 games is a higher draft pick which is the Chicago White Sox trajectory. Typically a team that loses 105+ games often gets the first overall pick, but as the saying goes "Misery loves company," and boy, do the White Sox have plenty of company. The Baltimore Orioles are on pace to lose 116 games this year (!!!) and have the inside track picking first in 2019. Kansas City is ahead of the White Sox to pick second overall as they are on track to lose 112 games (!!). Choosing third would be the White Sox, and following them would be Miami as the Marlins are staring at a 100-loss season.
That's a lot of bad, and hopefully, for our sanity, the White Sox don't lose 106 games in 2018. For those that care a great deal where the White Sox will pick in 2019, you have options on tracking who some of the top prospects in next year's class. Perhaps none better than following the USA National College team. An all-star team with the best Freshman and Sophomore talent from this past season, Team USA is an excellent early test for both hitters and pitchers. Since Nick Hostetler took over as Director of Amateur Scouting, the White Sox have selected a few players from the USA squad.
2017: Nick Madrigal, Steele Walker, and Konnor Pilkington
2016: Jake Burger, Luis Gonzalez, and Evan Skoug
2015: Zack Burdi
2014: Carson Fulmer, and Zack Collins
Here are five players that I think are worth following this summer as 2019 is shaping up to be a very strong college hitting class.
Adley Rutschman, Catcher - Oregon State
If you watched the College World Series, then you've seen what Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman can do. The switch-hitting Rutschman deservingly won Outstanding Player as he set a College World Series record 17 hits while driving in 13 RBIs. Compared to Joey Bart, who was selected in this year's draft second overall, Rutschman is not as good defensively, but still, possess above average skills across the board. He's athletic to move well side-to-side and receives pitches low in the zone well to steal strikes. The noticeable differences are that Bart has a better throwing arm and calls his pitches. Well, many in the industry believe Bart has 65 to 70-grade defense, Rutschman is 55 to 60 grade.
Like Vaughn, Texas Tech 3B Josh Jung is hitting the ball well today. Four hard hit balls thus far but, he only has one hit to show for it. pic.twitter.com/iVpai5gOko
— Burke Granger (@burkegranger) July 1, 2018
While the bat is impressive, I enjoyed watching Jung play defense at the hot corner. Strong arm paired with quick instincts, Jung has made some highlight plays robbing hitters of extra-base hits down the line. Committing only eight errors in 172 chances, I like Jung more than I did Alec Bohm or Jonathan India defensively at third base. After three games with Team USA, Jung is 3-for-14 with two walks, one strikeout, and two RBIs.
Bryson Stott, Shortstop - UNLV
A player that took a big step forward from his Freshman year, UNLV's Bryson Stott impressed in 2018 hitting 30 doubles with a slash line of .365/.442/.556. He displayed some speed and an ability to steal bases, but Stott worked on getting the ball in play more often. Cutting his strikeout rate from 10.1% his Freshman year to 6.3% this season. The walk rate also bumped up from 9.3% to 11.2%. Even better, Stott had success with wood bats hitting .352/.442/.451 in the Northwoods League last summer.
Defensively, Stott has the athleticism to stick at shortstop ranging well to his left and displaying a strong arm. He doesn't have plus-power which you would like to see from a possible Top 10 candidate shortstop. If he can hit a few more of those doubles to homers in 2019, you'll hear plenty about Stott come next June.
